The Mt Kenya Times 
Artificial Intelligence
By David Ndirangu
Worth Noting:
- Limited Memory Machines imitate the way the human brain’s neurons work together. They can go into the past and monitor objects or situations over time. Their actions are thus based on the present and past data. Example of Limited Memory Machines include the self-driving cars – they observe other vehicles on the road for speed, direction and proximity, traffic lights , curves, bumps and other features on the road.
- The Internet is another one. A network of physical devices – vehicles, other devices with sensors, software and connectivity that all collect and share data. It works with application programs that allow two or more people, programs or components to communicate with each other.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the ability of computer systems and computer controlled robots performing everyday common tasks that are ordinarily performed using human intelligence. This involves simulation of human intelligence processes by computers and machines to perform problem solving tasks. It revolves around natural language processing, speech recognition and machine vision.
Natural language processing (NLP) allows computers to understand our human language while Machine or Computer Vision enables computers to identify objects and people in pictures and photos.
Graphical processing helps computers form graphics and images though mathematical calculations.
The US military was using AI as early as 1960s but research had been going on from the 1950s. Various types of AI currently in use even though a lot of research is still going on in several areas include;
Reactive machine – are AI systems with no memory. They are task – specific, process huge amounts of data and deliver the same output. They react the same way and in a predictive manner. The difference with the average human beings is that humans would not be capable of processing the same amount of data so they would not necessarily react the same way when faced with a similar situation.
Limited Memory Machines imitate the way the human brain’s neurons work together. They can go into the past and monitor objects or situations over time. Their actions are thus based on the present and past data. Example of Limited Memory Machines include the self-driving cars – they observe other vehicles on the road for speed, direction and proximity, traffic lights , curves, bumps and other features on the road.
The Internet is another one. A network of physical devices – vehicles, other devices with sensors, software and connectivity that all collect and share data. It works with application programs that allow two or more people, programs or components to communicate with each other.
Most of us may have possibly been using AI without our knowledge. Maps and navigation applications have made our travelling much easier as opposed to using the traditional printed maps. Coupled with cab hailing applications, our lives have become more comfortable.
Using our faces us identification codes to unlock our phones and using visual filters when taking photos is also actually facial detection in AI. Face recognition is used for surveillance and identification of suspects by security agencies.
It has become fairly common to use text editors and autocorrect functions in our computers. Linguists and computer scientists have been working together to ‘teach’ grammar to computers for this purpose.
In customer service, we have Chatbots and virtual assistants that interact with customers to answer frequently asked questions. There are many advantages of having AI with us including fast and wider knowledge sharing, increased efficiency in doing things, reducing human error and quick decision making.
Some concerns and fears have been raised about AI – such as possible loss of jobs due to automation of repetitive tasks, data privacy and security, lack of transparency by those holding such data and the fear that criminals including terrorists could use AI for their heinous activities.
There are some concerns relating to the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence – there are some who are concerned about the imminent loss of jobs due to automation of the tasks that they do. Cyber security and security of the massive data available in the AI space is also cause for alarm. Authorities are have security concerns that the information could easily get into the hands of criminals and may be used for their illegal intentions like terrorism and such other activities.
David Ndirangu Bsc. International Business Administration (USIU- A) CPA (K), Business Management Consultant and Author of the book; This is DAVE. Email; ndirangudavid2023@gmail.com
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